Playing in his ninth John Deere Classic, Davis Love III has plenty of insight to offer as a 54-year-old with 21 PGA Tour victories, adding an induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame last year.

With his son, Davis “Dru” Love IV making his JDC debut this year as a sponsor’s exemption, Love III’s course knowledge and experience are an especially valuable resource for a 24-year-old budding pro.

Davis said the distance his son gets on his drives, an ability he himself has been known for, should help at TPC Deere Run this week.

“I gave him some advice, but he’s like any other rookie; not used to this grass on the greens and the rough and stuff like that, so I’m teaching him a few shots out of the rough,” Davis said. “Zach (Johnson) and I played nine with him and gave him a few tips (Tuesday). It’s fun to be out with him.”

Dru, who redshirted at Alabama and had his senior year shortened by injury to just two spring tournaments, has made the cut twice in his pro career, including once in five events this year. As Dru works to gain status, the extra support and insight is a help.

“It’s nice to have him here. It’s always nice to have family anywhere, especially when they are in the same tournament and you can kind of have someone to root for other than yourself,” Dru said. “It’s a fun week for us, and it’s always fun to be in the same tournament.”

The two have competed in the same event a handful of other times in the past, and Davis even caddied for his son in the U.S. Open last season after he qualified as an alternate.

“I ask him, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to stay away from you? Do you want me to let you go play with the boys? (Tuesday) he played nine with his college buddies and then played nine with me and Zach on the back. I just try to help if he asks and try not to push him and try to make it fun for him.”

The JDC has welcomed fathers and sons in the past, but not always in the same year. A pair who did were D.A. Weibring and his son Matt in 2002 and 2003, D.A.’s final two showings in a near JDC-record 23 appearances (second only to Jay Delsing’s 24).

Davis said he and his son have dinner together and will find some time to share this week. But with Dru having plenty of connections and friendship with current pros, including former Alabama teammates Justin Thomas, Tom Lovelady and Trey Mullinax, there are no shortages of golf buddies when it comes time for a practice round. Lovelady is also making his JDC debut, and Mullinax finished T19 in his debut last year.

“(Dru) fits in fine," Davis said. "My job is to make sure he shows up on time and keep his mom happy.”

Both finished 2-over 73 on Thursday, tied for 129th. Dru said playing better on Thursdays is something he knows he must work on, something his dad can hopefully help with.

Davis said the rest of the family is planning on joining the two when they compete together next week at the Barbasol Championship in Lexington, Kentucky.

Davis sees some parallels in his son’s game, as well as additional strengths, early on.

“Long hitter that should be hitting lower scores. We’re very similar in that. Wedge game and putting is where we’re going to catch up with guys. Ball striking, he’s fine. Learning the ropes, I think I was a little bit more polished because I played more amateur and college golf than he did,” Davis said. “He’s kind of a late starter and a bit behind the curve on experience, but he’s probably a lot more talented than I was. Firepower — he’s got a lot more of it than I did coming out.”

Dru also noted the similarity of their games.

“I’ve watched him my entire life,” Dru said, “so I think it’s kind of hard not to play like him.”

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Zach Johnson talks back and forth with Wesley Bryan after Bryan tells him he stepped on and moved his coin on the 12th green during round one of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

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Defending John Deere Classic champion Byrson DeChambeau watches his tee shot on the seventh hole, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Defending John Deere Classic champion Bryson DeChambeau checks with his caddy before hitting his tee shot on the seventh hole, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Defending John Deere Classic champion Bryson DeChambeau walks off the sixth hole after making par, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Broc Everett of West Des Moines talks with his caddie before hitting his tee shot on the ninth hole during first-round action at the John Deere Classic on Thursday at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. Everett shot 4-under in his first PGA Tour round.

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Scott Piercy of Las Vegas, NV., has help from his caddy lining up his put on the sixth hole, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Austin Cook of Jonesboro, AR., signals to the right after his tee shot on the seventh hole, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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A larger gallery follows the group of Bryson DeChambeau, Ryan Moore and Davis Love III, Thursday, July 12, 2018, on the sixth hole during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Defending John Deere Classic champion Bryson DeChambeau checks his yardage book on the sixth hole, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

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Golfer David Lingmerth wipes the sweat from his face on the 18th green as his caddy holds the towel, Thursday, July 12, 2018, during first round action of the John Deere Classic held at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.

John Deere Classic: 1st Round

Maynerd and Barbara Denault, of Kankakee, watches a player tee off from the 18th tee during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis. Maynerd served in the Army from 1964-1966 during the Vietnam War.

John Deere Classic: 1st Round

Army Veterans Rick Zastrow, of Bettendorf, Dave Lackey, of Moline, and Barry Hartleben, of Rock Island spectate a player teeing off from the 18th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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Moline resident Tony Navarro caddy to Nick Watney grabs Watney's club on the practice green before teeing off on hole one during the first round of the John Deere Classic Thursday, July 12, 2018 in Silvis.

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PGA golfer Steve Stricker swings on the ninth during the first round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Parker McLachlin hits his second shot from the 18th fairway during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

Johnson Wagner blasts out of the bunker at the 18th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Ryan Blaum blast out of the green side bunker on the 18th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Parker McLachlin lines up his putt on the 18th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann teases a toad into the pond near the 18th green while walking with fellow pro Martin Piller during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann teases a toad into the pond near the 18th green while walking with fellow pro Martin Piller during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann lines up his putt on the 18th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

A toad watches the golf action at the 18th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour Pro Hudson Swafford wipes the sweat off his face before hitting from the 18th fairway during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour Pro Hudson Swafford reacts to his second shot on the 18th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour Pro Cody Gribble hits from the 18th fairway during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

The John Deere Gator sits on a new rocky base in the middle of the 18th green pond during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

John Kessler, of Bettendorf, and his grandson Michael Mitchell, 12, of Rock Island, pose for a photo with the giant golf ball and club near the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

John Kessler, of Bettendorf, takes a photo of Kerri Kroeze, 15, and her mom Julia, of Orange City, Iowa, with the giant golfball and club near the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan hits from the fairway bunker on the 6th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan hits from the fairway bunker on the 6th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Kelly Kraft hits from the fairway on the 6th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

Fans watch the flight of PGA Tour pro Kelly Kraft's ball after he hit from the fairway on the 6th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Daniel Summerhays tees off on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan tees off on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Kelly Kraft tees off on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan accesses his situation after his tee shot found the deep rough near the 7th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan and his caddie try to determine how to hit out of the deep rough near the 7th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis. Pan, who was leading at the time, double bogeyed the hole and finished the day with a 3-under-par 68.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan hits his 3rd shot on the par-3 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis. Pan, who was leading at the time, double bogeyed the hole and finished the day with a 3-under-par 68.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Nick Taylor chats with his caddie at the 7th tee during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann tees off on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann reacts to missing a putt on the 8th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Nick Taylor lines up a putt on the 8th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Joaquin Niemann tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour Pro Steve Stricker hits from the 8th fairway during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Zach Johnson hits from the 8th fairway during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Steve Stricker putts on the 8th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

The Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker Wesley Bryan group attached the biggest gallery in the morning during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pros Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Zach Johnson tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Steve Stricker tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Wesley Bryan tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim tees off on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Troy Merritt takes a drop on the 7th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim looks out of the deep rough on the 8th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis. Kim ended up carding a bogey on the par 4.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim hits his third shot in the par-4 8th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pros Michael Kim, left, and Troy Merritt line up their putts on the 8th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pros Michael Kim misses a par putt on the 8th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim marks a new ball after finishing the 8th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Ken Duke tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Troy Merritt tees off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim drinks some water after teeing off on the 9th hole during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim lines up his putt on the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Ken Duke and his caddie line up a putt on the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Ken Duke lines up a putt on the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

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John Deere Classic: 1st Round

PGA Tour pro Michael Kim reacts to missing a birdie putt on the 9th green during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.

John Deere Classic: 1st Round

Brayden Ruetz, 8, and his father Greg, of Knoxville walk up the first tee as a large crowd follows defending champion PGA golfer Bryson DeChambeau during the first-round of the John Deere Classic golf tournament Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Silvis.